Audience members literally cried tears of joy during Trinity Rep’s buoyant production of Shakespeare’s foofy ensemble comedy, here given a 1980s sheen. At this point we’re now reviving the early 2000s revival of the 1980s, and this seems like an unfortunate moment to longingly revive the Reagan era. The anarchic production keeps the mood light, though, even when the songs make the show a little longer than it ought to be. Many hits of the era are sung. (Pat Benatar, Whitney Houston, LL Cool J, and so on. A children’s ensemble tackle Cyndi Lauper’s “All Through The Night”.) The comedic acting is solid all around. The four main lovers are all very funny, and Puck (Rachael Warren) is a whiz on roller skates.
(Note: since it’s school vacation week, there’s also a 2pm matinee performance.)
photo: Phyllis Kay and Fred Sullivan Jr. as Titania and Bottom. Photo by Mark Turek.